Good Neighbor: Responsible Dog Ownership

Being a good neighbor and having your dog trained, keeps everyone happy. Since the days when they trailed behind humans as hunting partners to our highly domesticated best buddies of today, dogs have always been worthwhile companions. It is their ability to adapt and remain loyal that makes them special. Dog owners have a responsibility to fulfill their dogs’ needs and ensure their safety. Become a conscientious dog owner and neighbor by following a few important tips.

The Good Neighbor

Perhaps you have had the neighbor with the dog that barks day and night. You may have encountered the neighbor’s dog jumping over into your yard and trampling your freshly-planted flowers. Nobody wants to be that neighbor. Instead, you want to care for and properly train your dog.

Mind the fence. Some dogs are adept at jumping or digging, and some are rather crafty at finding new escape routes. Part of being a good dog-owning neighbor means that you properly secure and install a fence. The primary goal of a fence is that it properly contains your dog and keeps him and others safe. You don’t want your dog running around in the streets or in the next door neighbor’s yard. HomeAdvisor estimates that the cost of a new fence installation will run about $1,643 – $3,862. This is a worthy investment when it means the safety of your pet.

Control the barking. While you can’t control your dog’s every bark, if you have a dog that is barking excessively, try to investigate the root cause. Consider whether the barking is territorial, compulsive, frustration-induced, attention-seeking, or alarm barking. Once you identify the possible cause, you can take measures to curb the behavior. This may require installing a fence that serves as a sight barrier and blocks your dog from seeing to the outside. Sometimes, all it takes is exercising and paying more attention to your dog to ease his anxiety.

The Basic Commands

Another way to become a responsible dog owner is to provide your dog with some basic training. A dog that knows how to please you is a more happy and fulfilled one. The Spruce lists several basic dog commands that can be useful and save you frustration:

Come. Teach your dog to come to you when necessary.

Drop it. Teach him to let go of something in his mouth that he’s not supposed to have.

Sit. This can help in situations where you need your dog to stay still or in a familiar place.

Stay. Encourages your dog to stay put and might help keep him out of danger.

Etiquette and More

Follow other pet principles that can make you a better dog-owning neighbor:

Always use a leash. Even when you’re confident that your dog will not run away, always use a leash. First of all, it’s the law in most neighborhoods. Secondly, it’s there to protect your dog and others. If you meet another dog on the walk, Reader’s Digest suggests you make sure to keep the greetings short and to ask permission of the other dog owner before you let your dog get too close.

Clean up after them. Cleaning your dog’s messes comes with the territory of good dog etiquette. It shows you respect the community and other pedestrians by keeping the sidewalk clean.

Follow dog park rules. When taking your dog to an off-leash dog park, don’t forget the park rules. Always stay near your dog and watch him as he interacts with other pets and people. Clean up after your dog and be respectful of other pet parents.

Dogs are so much fun. Having a dog, however, requires some attention and responsibility. They look to us for guidance and protection, and in exchange for their wonderful friendship, it is a dog owner’s duty to provide that as best as we can.